Fantasy NRL: Juicy matchups becoming apparent

By Dr Stats

Herald online·

16 Apr, 2014 01:49 AM3 mins to read

Will Chambers of the Storm is tackled by Gareth Widdop of the Dragons during the round 6 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the St George Illawarra Dragons. Photo / Getty Images.

After six rounds of Dream Team Fantasy NRL some definite trends are emerging in terms of which teams are leaking the most fantasy points per week.

This statistic is an obvious one to exploit for those who have transfers to burn each week.

Last week, the Dragons went into the round allowing some of the most fantasy points per game of any side.

The result was that Will Chambers ($412,000), Ben Roberts ($257,000), Ryan Hinchcliffe ($314,000), Jesse Bromwich ($308,000) and Cameron Smith ($461,000) all posted either season best or above average fantasy scores for the Storm.

Right up there with the Dragons are the Titans and Sharks as sides that are leaking some serious fantasy points every week.

With that in mind, the squads to investigate for spot starts this coming round are the Roosters, Panthers and Warriors.

James Maloney ($405,000) has been below last year's numbers so far this year but I expect an upswing in points this weekend. Backline star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($302,000) hasn't scored a try in three rounds but looks likely against the Sharks as does Michael Jennings ($457,000) if you can afford him.

The Panthers host the Titans on Monday night and could provide some big points by way of Elijah Taylor ($250,000), Jamal Idris ($289,000) and Josh Mansour ($256,000).
While in Sydney, I would only trust Nathan Friend ($376,000) and Simon Mannering ($270,000) as solid options against the Dragons.

In team news, Robbie Farah is out for up to six weeks after suffering an elbow injury against the Cowboys. Frank Pritchard is out for at least three months, Akulia Uate won't play against the Broncos while Newcastle captain Kurt Gidley and prop Kade Snowden have been named but both are yet to prove their fitness after suffering concussion last weekend.

Panthers utility Lewis Brown may miss significant time with a pectoral injury, Antonio Winterstein is out for four weeks while Titans prop Luke Bailey will not play this weekend.

George Burgess and Ben Te'o have copped one-match suspensions while Ben Matulino has been handed a two-match ban. Storm centre Will Chambers is likely to miss at least two matches as well.

In notable players to return to action - Jorge Taufua was a late inclusion for Manly last weekend and had an immediate impact with 41 points in his season debut and Jayson Bukuya returns for the Warriors and has potential for points if he can lock in big minutes for the club every week.